Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
Stuttgart, Germany - Several United States military bases across Europe have been placed on high alert following an unexpected announcement from Costco. The retail giant’s signature rotisserie chicken has raised concerns among military officials, prompting a heightened state of readiness.
The U.S. Army garrison in Stuttgart, Germany—where U.S. European Command (EUCOM) is headquartered—issued a community-wide elevated alert level to Force Protection Condition (FPCON) “Charlie.” This alert status aims to ensure readiness and rapid response capabilities for any potential threats in the region. According to a recent report by Consumer Reports, some consumers have expressed concerns about the new flexible plastic bags used for packaging rotisserie chickens, citing issues with leakage.
The U.S. Army employs the FPCON system to assess and communicate threat levels. These conditions range from normal peacetime operations to the highest state of alert in response to specific threats. The five FPCON levels are Normal, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, or Delta. Bravo, which indicates an increased or more predictable threat of terrorist activity, became common after the September 11, 2001 attacks as a preventive measure across Department of Defense (DOD) facilities.
While the switch to flexible plastic bags is intended to reduce plastic waste and environmental impact, some consumers who found the new bags at their local Costco have reported issues. According to a Reddit thread, customers have discovered that the rotisserie chicken bags can be oily and prone to leaking. One user even mentioned that their hands became greasy after handling the bags, and the grease transferred to the shopping cart and checkout belt.
The U.S. Army and the DOD have been contacted for further comment, but as of now, military bases maintain their elevated alert status.
Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
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